|
|
joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
|
|
"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "security keeping fee" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "hundred thousand us dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "up0001@live.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "United Nations Peace Settlement" <info@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: ups0001@live.com
Date: Sat, 9 Jul 2011 16:37:51 +0700 (ICT)
Subject: United Nations Tax Settlement
FYI
Good Day Petar Kehayov
I have been waiting for you to pick up your Cashier Check of (EIGHT
HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS) before I leave the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, but you did not show up as I did not hear from you. I am
writing to inform you that I have deposited your cashier check with
UNITED PARCEL SERVICE there in Nigeria.
For your information, I'm now in Dubai to resume my new job offer and
will not go back to Nigeria till next year. Please you have to contact
the United Parcel Service of Nigeria to know when they will deliver
your package to your resident address in your country.
The delivery and insurance coverage fee has been paid already, please
take note of that. The only fee you will be required to pay is the
security keeping fee which only cost $120.00 US Dollars. I would have
paid that but they said no because they don't know when you will
contact them and in case of demur-rage.
Please contact the company with their below details:
Name: Edwin Hamilton
Tel: +(234) 8o7 826 7378
E-mail: up0001@live.com
Thanks for your attention.
Walter Padini
United Nation Human Settlement Programme
|
Anti-fraud resources:
